From Money to Moksha: The 16 types of wealth

For most, Lakshmi is associated with Goddess of Wealth, Money, Prosperity and material abundance in general. However, Her remit stretches far beyond!

A wealth of character, culture and knowledge

There are 8 forms of Lakshmi (I will not go through them but provide a link - click here) and 16 types of wealth that Lakshmi is associated with.

There are various lists, but the underlying point is the same - a highly diverse set of virtues, possessions and values to make one truly rich in every sense of the word! In the Shri Sukta - a Vedic hymn to Lakshmi, as Shri (as the embodiment of auspiciousness or the revered one), She is said to provide Moksha itself (liberation from rebirth).

Fame

Knowledge

Courage and strength

Victory

Children

Valour

Gold, precious stones, valuables

Grains

Happiness

Bliss

Intelligence

Beauty

Higher goals, thinking and meditative states

Morality and ethics

Health

Long life

The mantras for Lakshmi:

I have addressed the following mantras in prior posts:

Shreem

Lakshmi Gayatri

Find links to the audio files online by clicking here.

A deeper understanding...

As characteristic of all spiritual paths, there is always a subtler dimension to all forms of worship - even those than initially appear shallow and selfish. By continuing to chant the mantra, envisioning the very deity through the mantra and accepting the deity as your Guru (spiritual teacher), one can attain the highest levels of spirituality.